Villanova University Named a Top Producer of U.S. Fulbright Students

VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova University is one of the nation’s top producers of Fulbright Students, according to an announcement made byThe Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. Five Villanovans were awarded Fulbright awards for 2012-2013, maintaining the University’s record of having at least one student selected for the coveted scholarships each year since 1994. Villanova has also placed on the list of Top Producers of U.S. Fulbright Students among Masters Institutions every year since 2004 – a list highlighted annually by TheChronicle of Higher Education.

The five Villanova alumni who were selected as Fulbright recipients for 2012-2013 are Monica Mazzoli ’11 A&S, John Rafferty, JD, ’12 VLS, Hana Lee ’12 A&S, Christopher Muyo ’10 A&S and Weddy Worjroh ’12 A&S. In addition, Nathan Haag ’08 A&S, ’11 MS, was named as an alternate for a Fulbright Full Grant to New Zealand. Each recipient plans to serve as international cultural ambassadors, to continue research opportunities, or to further their education through this international education exchange program.

The Fulbright competition is administered at Villanova University through the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships.

Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 381,000 participants – chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential – with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. In the past 66 years, more than 44,000 students from the United States have benefited from the Fulbright experience.

“We are so proud of all our wonderful students who have had the honor of representing both Villanova and the United States abroad as Fulbright Students,” said Jane Morris, Director of the University’s Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. “Their success, as well as Villanova’s excellent academic and co-curricular programs, has created a strong interest among our students to apply for this program that emphasizes the building of cross-cultural awareness through educational exchange.”

The Fulbright Program also awards grants to American teachers and faculty to conduct research and teach overseas. In addition, some 4,000 new foreign Fulbright students and scholars come to the United States annually to study for graduate degrees, conduct research and teach at U.S. universities, colleges and secondary schools.

About the Fulbright Program: The Fulbright Program, America’s flagship international education exchange program, is sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Since its establishment in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the Fulbright Program has provided approximately 295,000 Americans the opportunity to exchange ideas and embark on joint ventures of importance to the general welfare of the world’s inhabitants. The Program operates in over 155 countries worldwide. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is administered by the Institute of International Education.

About Villanova University:Since 1842, Villanova University’s Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's five colleges – the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the College of Nursing and the Villanova University School of Law. As students grow intellectually, Villanova prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them.

About Villanova

Villanova University was founded in 1842 by the Order of St. Augustine. To this day, Villanova’s Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition is the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University’s six colleges.